Last month: Part 2, Mortification

I repeat, the two different actings of the Christian is “Mortificaiton” and “Vivification” and need to be separately expounded. The order in which we should consider them is obvious: We must die to sin before we can live unto God. Disease must be subdued before health can be enjoyed; the lamp must be cleaned before its light can shine forth clearly; rags must be discarded before new apparel is put on. This order is uniformly insisted on throughout the Scriptures: “Cease to do evil” comes before “learn to do well” (Isa. 1:16,17). “Hate the evil, and love the good” (Amos 5:15): the latter is impossible without the former. Self must be denied before Christ can be followed (Matt. 16:24). “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God” (Rom. 6:13).

Vivification means living unto God. It is not enough that the believer should die unto sin: he must also walk in newness of life. Recess from the world is worthless unless it issues in access to God. Practical holiness consists not so much in a mere abstinence from a sensual life, but principally in living unto God, delighting in Him, desires after Him, carefulness to please Him, unwilling to offend Him. God has imparted grace to the born again not simply that they may have it, but that they use the same to His glory: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25). The grace God has given His people is to be exercised by them in a course of hearty obedience to Him, according to the directions that He has given in His word.

God has predestined His people to be conformed to the image of His Son: Now Christ died unto sin (Rom. 6:10), so must we. Christ lives unto God, so must we. In mortification, there is a likeness unto Christ’s death; and in vivification (or living unto God), there is a likeness to His resurrection. Christ cannot be divided: those who partake with Him in the one act partake with Him in the other. God will not leave his work in us half done: if He makes us to hate and forsake the evil, then, He also causes us to love and seek after the good. In Psalm 1, the godly man is not only described as walking not in the counsel of the ungodly, standing not in the way of sinners, and sitting not in the seat of the scornful, but also as delighting in the Law of the Lord, meditating therein day and night, and then bringing forth his fruit in his season. God subdues sin in us to make way for a life of righteousness.

Vivification manifests itself in a complete submission to the Will of God in all things, not only to His preceptive will, but to His disposing will also, even in the most adverse dispensations of providence.

Vivificaiton is expressed by being spiritually minded. “To be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6); that is, the bent and inclination of a renewed mind is unto spiritual things; for it is that whereby we live to God and enjoy peace with Him. By nature, we care only for the things of the flesh, minding earthly concerns (Phi. 3:19), our corrupt hearts are set upon them, disposed towards them, eager after whatever leads to the enjoyment of them. But the regenerate mind things above, and in vivification their affections are drawn out after and fixed upon them (Col. 3:3). None but GOd can satisfy the sanctified.

Vivification is seen in religious exercises or acts of devotion to God, particularly in the actings of grace in them. Here, there is a radical difference between the unregenerate and the regenerate: the unregenerate engages in religious exercises formally, as a matter of duty; but the regenerate takes delight therein. The ministry of the Word is attended with affection, and prayer is engaged in with fervor; for prayer is the very breath of a sanctified soul towards God. It is not so much in the outward performance that the believer differs from the unbeliever, as in the holy actings of his heart, such as eager desires after communion with God therein. The sanctified soul cannot be satisfied with using the means of grace unless he meets with God in them. A sanctified soul seeks the glory of God in all that he does.

Dr. Waiters can be reached at 704-636-3369.